5th!!!

Freshmen Megan Combe (front) and Amanda Mergaert get a ride to the track courtesy of the Drake "Bulldog"

Freshman Amanda Mergaert closed out her outstanding track season by finishing fifth in the finals of the 1500 meter run at the US Junior Championships today. Her time of 4:35.37 came off of a slow early pace due to windy conditions. She was among the leaders with 400 to go when the lead group of fourt made a strong move to pull away from Mergaert down the backstretch. Mergaert was in seventh place with 200 meters to go before making her final move over the last 150 meters to finish fifth.

I thought she ran another very smart race, conserving energy early and covering every move the leaders made. However, a lack of experience in championship meets of this caliber was the difference. Her comfort level with going strong at 400 meters to go rather than waiting until 250m or 200m will improve with time and experience. There's no doubt she grew mentally and physically with this experience (as did all of our junior athletes who competed at this meet).

One more race....Former Ute and professional runner Shayla Houlihan will close out our week at the US meet by competing for a national title in the steeplechase tomorrow afternoon at 1:15pm (CDT). The meet will be televised live on ESPN from Noon-1:30pm and on NBC from 2-3pm. Be sure to wish her good luck via twitter!!